Joshua 15: Lessons from Judah’s Inheritance on God’s Blessings

Introduction. This chapter recounts the inheritance of the tribe of Judah. This chapter is filled with references to specific cities that are no longer referred to by the same names. Thus, it is tempting for some to skip this chapter. Yet, this view is a mistake. God reveals that every Word of Scripture is not only inspired but profitable for teaching: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,” (2 Tim. 3:16). Sometimes, He wants you to search out the hidden meaning behind His Word: “It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.” (Prov. 25:2). From this chapter, He reveals seven lessons regarding His blessings.

First, from His gift of an inheritance to Judah (the fourth tribe) before all others inside the Promised Land, He reveals that His blessings are not based upon either your heritage or your status. Second, the tribe of Judah grew to be the largest based upon its faith and obedience. As a result, it also received the largest land inheritance inside the Promised Land. Excluding your salvation (which is based upon faith alone), He reveals that He will bless you in other areas of your life in accordance with your faith and obedience. Third, from the double land blessing given to Caleb, He reveals that He can also bestow double blessings on you for your faith and obedience. Fourth, through Caleb’s offer of his daughter and land to the soldier brave enough to defeat an enemy stronghold, He reveals that He wants you to seize all of the spiritual inheritance available to you. Fifth, from Acsash’s pleading to her father Caleb for a land inheritance with water, He reveals that He will bless you when you thirst after His righteousness. Sixth, from God’s meticulous allotment of land for every member of Judah, He shows that He cares about every member of His flock. He also shows that He will keep every promise that He makes. Finally, He warned Judah to defeat the Jebusites in Jerusalem, even though this land was given to Benjamin. From this, He reveals that He will bless you when you root out the sins of the flesh around you. A believer cannot ignore sins in his brother’s backyard without also being hurt.

1. God’s Blessings are Based Upon Grace, Not Your Heritage or Status. Josh. 15:1.

The inheritance of the tribe of Judah1

2. God Blesses Those Who are Faithful and Obedient. Josh. 15:2-12

Judah’s southern boundaries2

3. God Can Give Double Blessings for Great Acts of Faith. Josh. 15:13-14.

4. God Encourages Believers to Seize Their Spiritual Inheritance. Josh. 15:15-17.

5. God Blesses Those Who Thirst For Righteousness. Josh. 15:18-19.

6. God is Faithful to Keep His Promises to Every Believer. Josh. 15:20-62.

The lands given to Judah3

7. God Blesses Those Who Help Their Brothers and Sisters in Christ. Josh. 15:63.